Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Robin Lehner (with guest Sean Cuthbert)
There’s another level of “legend” in between the the Dynasty guys and the goofball guys that are like, this guy was really good and and did it all in one season. Mike and Dan welcome back Hockey Night in New York host Sean Cuthbert to discuss Robin Lehner, the very rare one season wonder for the Islanders.
Brought in by Lou Lamoriello after the exit of John Tavares, Lehner and the Islanders was originally a marriage of necessity. They needed a goalie and he needed a place to play after getting out of the NHL’s player assistance program. Despite extremely low expectations, both the team and the player experienced a fairy tale season, racking up over 100 points and a first round sweep, as well as a Mastertron Trophy and third place finish in Vezina voting.
But it would be one-and-done on Long Island for Lehner, who would begin a nomadic and extremely strange journey on and off the ice, all while keeping the his former team close to his heart (specifically, on his neck).
Thanks again to Sean for coming on and of course, be sure to catch Hockey Night in New York wherever you can (Twitch, YouTube or podcasts).
Note: This episode was recorded during the summer. We decided to run the episode at its originally scheduled time due to our appreciation for the player and his time as an Islander.
WEIRD BONUS MATERIAL!
Dom spoke for all of us at the time: “At last, they have a goaltender. He was basically the only one left.”
Lehner wasn’t always a fan of the Islanders. Or maybe it was just Kevin Poulin.
The article that changed everything. Via Arthur Staple at The Athletic, Lehner reveals his diagnosis, substance problems and rehab stint, and starts the road back to being an NHL goaltender.
Lehner’s first game as an Islander was a shutout over the Sharks. The good times just kept on rolling from there including a first round sweep of the Penguins in the playoffs.
He took Third Star of the Week during the season. Shutouts and fun were the order of the day (or the season).
Two words: “Playoffs, baby.”
Lehner’s Masterton Trophy win and Vezina votes were the poetic cherry on top of his spectacular season in blue and orange.
In the end, the Islanders and Lehner could not agree on the terms for an extension under strange circumstances, and the whirlwind marriage came to an end.
Lehner’s return to Nassau Coliseum was a long time coming, but it was worth the wait.
The love affair between Lehner and Long Island continues to this day. The tattoos will last forever.
Here is a summary of Lehner’s recent tweets. Be well, Robin, and Happy New Year to you and yours.
What makes a “Weird Islander?”
We’re always open to suggestions about other Weird Islanders to discuss. Remember the criteria. Candidates must fulfill one of the two of the following:
Played one (1) season or less for the Islanders or very short stints over multiple seasons.
Be a veteran NHLer who is not generally associated with his time on Islanders.
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